Category: Guanacaste

Looking for things to do in Liberia? Museo de Guanacaste is a great spot to hit when looking for what to do in Liberia. The Museum of Guanacaste, located in the City of Liberia, a building built between 1932-1940, was the seat of the Command, ancient police service and served as a prison for the city. The Law 8543 of the Assembly of the Republic of Costa Rica decrees the creation of the Museum of Guanacaste. In addition is declared in 1998, Historic Architectural Heritage of Costa Rica.

A great little piece of history. Very educational. Not crowded. Easy to take your time and see everything. The jail cells are very interesting to the children also. This museum offers much more than just a jail.

Tour are not very long but very informative. Great place to visit. Would recommend anyone to come take a tour.

Right now is under renovation but many cultural activities are been hell to keep the Museum alive . So you can be informed in its official page for all activities coming soon

Museum Information:

Museo De Guanacaste Address: Av 1, Liberia 50101, Costa Rica

Museo De Guanacaste Contact Number: +506-26657114

Museo De Guanacaste Timing: 08:00 am – 04:00 pm

Museo De Guanacaste Price: Free

Best time to visit Museo De Guanacaste(preferred time): 10:00 am – 03:00 pm

The Battle of Santa Rosa was a battle between the forces of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Nicaragua forces were led by William Walker, a Soldier from Nashville, Tenessee, US that believed in Slavery and wanted to convert all of Central America into slaving territory.

It was one of the most important battles in the history of Costa Rica. The battle took place on March 20, 1856 at Hacienda Santa Rosa, Liberia, Costa Rica. Today is a historic old house preserved as a monument in center of a beautiful national park.

The fighting was caused by the arrival of William Walker in Nicaragua. He arrived to Realejo Port in Nicaragua with 57 soldiers. He convinced Patricio Rivas, the president of Nicaragua , to attack Costa Rica and extend his domain to all of Central America to make it a slave empire.

The president of Costa Rica, Juan Rafael Mora Porras realized that Walker wanted to conquer them. On February 27, 1856, Mora declared the war against Walker and Nicaragua.
President Mora requested to all Costa Ricans between aged 15 and 50 to go to fight, because the army was very small. This brought together a group of ten thousand men ready to fight against Walker.

On March 4th, Joaquin Mora (brother of the president of Costa Rica) led the forces as they started their march towards Nicaragua, at the same time, the filibusteros made their way to Costa Rica and settled at Santa Rosa, in the province of Guanacaste.

On March 12th, they arrived in Liberia. There they join with Jose Maria Cañas and his battalion. On March 20th, the then thousand Costa Ricans walked to Hacienda Santa Rosa where the filibusters had formed their post at La Casona. At four o’clock, the Costa Rican battalions began the attack against the invaders.

After eighteen minutes, the Costa Rican forces won the battle. The few filibusters that had escaped went to Nicaragua. William Walker armed a new army. President Mora quickly moved on to Rivas with his 10000 men, and the Battle of Rivas started.